[apotoftea]

(Original post by *Corinna*)
I know, I know, it's insane! But they have this large double bed room which is not that bad (£800 pm) for two people, you know? On top of that, they have some scholarships and I was thinking to apply just in case, I know its unlikely but you never know. Tbh, these are the prices in most central locations.

No that is good value and if you can get some money off or something even better.

I am trying to come up with a budget basically, and Egham is also very expensive. The Victorian Houses are cheap, but if they put me in Runnymede this is £6,500 for the year. I calculated another £50 pm for tickets to visit London, it comes up to £7,100. This is not so much more expensive than living in one of the London dorms where you pay around £650 per month (£7,800 per year) so I decided if I don't get the RSA position which would make my accommodation at Egham significantly cheaper to try for London dorms and also look for flats/houses.

Egham is expensive. I worked one day a week during my MA just to keep some money coming in. Think when I was there so 08/09, the train fare to Waterloo with travelcard after 9.30 and with a student rail card was close to £10! Damn South West Trains.

A friend of mine will most likely be in London so we can look for a 2 bedroom flat or something. Have you decided to move to London too? If so, and you need room-mates, we might be available (won't know till July, but that's OK cause most private properties are not announced early anyway)

Still debating really. Just want somewhere to crash when I can/need/want to, rather than live up there proper.

[*Corinna*]

(Original post by apotoftea)
No that is good value and if you can get some money off or something even better.




Egham is expensive. I worked one day a week during my MA just to keep some money coming in. Think when I was there so 08/09, the train fare to Waterloo with travelcard after 9.30 and with a student rail card was close to £10! Damn South West Trains.




Still debating really. Just want somewhere to crash when I can/need/want to, rather than live up there proper.

yes, it's 12 pounds now (egham-waterloo). That's why I'm considering living in London rather than in Egham. Hey do you happen to know if RHUL students can borrow books from UCL and Kings Libraries?

[apotoftea]

(Original post by *Corinna*)
yes, it's 12 pounds now (egham-waterloo). That's why I'm considering living in London rather than in Egham. Hey do you happen to know if RHUL students can borrow books from UCL and Kings Libraries?

Yeah, just watch the cost of Oyster cards in central as they're not as cheap as you would think. That said, with a London address, you'd be able to get the student discount.

Books wise - according to SCONUL you can but it's worth double checking in person It won't be many though.

[MaltWit]

Thanks for clearing that up Corinna

I'm moving to London to start at SOAS in Sep/Oct.

My best case scenario is a room up to 650 quid a month, within 2 miles of SOAS/UoL, and that is couples OK.

So far things are coming up on sites with those criteria even now in the 'low season', so I'm not too worried...

PM me if you'd like to team up - I'm out of the country until September and am worried that when things come open I will have to let some of the best ones go by because I won't be able to check them out in person.

p.s. that price is bills included!

[TheConvexity]

It is great to find a thread here on Goodenough. I applied as well since I need accommodation for the time I am pursuing my master in London.

But, can anyone be so kind tell be what is so damn special about Goodenough that they require a fully-flegded application included even letter of references? I don't know if I am just completely wrong (sorry, I always used private accomodiation) but an application process for a flat that is on par with an application for a top universities masters programme - that appears just hilarious to me!

[*Corinna*]

(Original post by TheConvexity)
It is great to find a thread here on Goodenough. I applied as well since I need accommodation for the time I am pursuing my master in London.

But, can anyone be so kind tell be what is so damn special about Goodenough that they require a fully-flegded application included even letter of references? I don't know if I am just completely wrong (sorry, I always used private accomodiation) but an application process for a flat that is on par with an application for a top universities masters programme - that appears just hilarious to me!

It is a bit weird isn't it? I think the idea of the college is that they want students who can offer something culturally etc to the "community" there. I want to apply, but honestly sometimes I can't be bothered !!

[axtran]

Conferences, events, performances, weekly talks, massively discounted discounts to RAH, admission to Chatham House, the list goes on... there's literally something happening at Goodenough College every day/night. If you're looking for a student hall just for a place to sleep, might be better off finding somewhere else (the building is in need of renovation, which will be done in 2013). Otherwise if you want to get something more out of your stay in London, GC is the place to be. I'm there right now, and I can't think of anywhere else I'd want to live (while I'm studying). Hope that helps.

EDIT: About the community, yes there is definitely a distinct GC community, but you're either in or not in the community i.e. can feel a bit exclusive. If you make an effort though you'll be welcomed, and the people are generally pretty interesting. But at its core it's still a student hall, after all!

[*Corinna*]

(Original post by axtran)
Conferences, events, performances, weekly talks, massively discounted discounts to RAH, admission to Chatham House, the list goes on... there's literally something happening at Goodenough College every day/night. If you're looking for a student hall just for a place to sleep, might be better off finding somewhere else (the building is in need of renovation, which will be done in 2013). Otherwise if you want to get something more out of your stay in London, GC is the place to be. I'm there right now, and I can't think of anywhere else I'd want to live (while I'm studying). Hope that helps.

EDIT: About the community, yes there is definitely a distinct GC community, but you're either in or not in the community i.e. can feel a bit exclusive. If you make an effort though you'll be welcomed, and the people are generally pretty interesting. But at its core it's still a student hall, after all!

hey can I ask you something since you are there? It really seems very interesting so I would like to know what I can do to strengthen my application. I can see that there are events happening all the time. How can I make it sound like I have something to offer?

Also, is it allowed to have guests overnight?

[misse]

I'm finishing my application for Goodenough and am trying to figure out if I really want to go through with it. On one hand, I've been interested in Goodenough for months and it seems like a great place. Plus, I'm nearly finished with the application process. On the other hand, I'm trying to figure out just how involved does Goodenough want you to be? I'll be attending an intensive Master's program and my time will be limited.

[Pherenike]

(Original post by misse)
I'm finishing my application for Goodenough and am trying to figure out if I really want to go through with it. On one hand, I've been interested in Goodenough for months and it seems like a great place. Plus, I'm nearly finished with the application process. On the other hand, I'm trying to figure out just how involved does Goodenough want you to be? I'll be attending an intensive Master's program and my time will be limited.

I was worried about this too. My advice is that if you've not got much work to do on the application then you should go ahead with it and see if you get a place. If you do then you can decide whether to accept it then!

[*Corinna*]

(Original post by Pherenike)
I was worried about this too. My advice is that if you've not got much work to do on the application then you should go ahead with it and see if you get a place. If you do then you can decide whether to accept it then!

what types of things did you put in your application? I just honestly don't know what to write to make it more catchy... Are you there this year?

[Pherenike]

(Original post by *Corinna*)
what types of things did you put in your application? I just honestly don't know what to write to make it more catchy... Are you there this year?

Hello - I saw your above comment too. Am not there currently, just thinking about applying for next year. But Claredale house has just offered me a Category D room (i.e. tiny) for £126 a week, so I'd save a lot by being there. As I've done most of the application work then I'm going to submit anyway I think (though I *refuse* to bother my academic referees and am going to include other ones instead :P).

I'm therefore no expert as regards content. My advice is to include as many studenty society things as you have been involved in. Any community events beyond the student spheres would be useful: e.g. charity work; sports teams; if you're in an orchestra/folk/rock band etc; other organisations!

I'm happy to share my own essay with anyone who is interested (though as I've pointed out, there's no guarantee it will do the trick). Just PM me if you'd like it and we can arrange a email transfer

[axtran]

(Original post by *Corinna*)
hey can I ask you something since you are there? It really seems very interesting so I would like to know what I can do to strengthen my application. I can see that there are events happening all the time. How can I make it sound like I have something to offer?

Also, is it allowed to have guests overnight?

I think it helps to put in some past experience in these sorts of activities e.g. organizing events, being involved in your community, volunteering, etc. For me, I think having conference experience helped, but by no means do you need that. I believe the application states you should describe how you want to contribute, so put in something feasible yet interesting e.g. invite a speaker to give a talk, join the X cultural club, play on the football team, or join the art club. Other than that, I really don't know how they screen applicants - honestly some people here never leave their rooms and/or aren't very sociable. It's quite a mixed crowd.

Just be honest and be sincere, I think that's the best way Good luck!

Edit: Yes you can have overnight guests and rent a small fold-up bed for £4 a night too (max 14 nights)

[peliqueiro]

Hello everyone!

I am applying to goodenough for 2012/2013 as well. Got two doubts about it.

How many kitchens are available to residents? Are they in good condition?

I am also quite lost about the Guarantor's Letter. What did you do about it?

Thanks!!

[peliqueiro]

... and another quick question.

is there a canteen or café for residents at the college?

[Bowtruckle]

Does anyone have any idea about the scholarship selection at the college? Do they only consider applicants for May 31 deadline or will they still have some money left for those who apply by the deadline for the second round of scholarships?

[borntodream]

(Original post by peliqueiro)
Hello everyone!

I am applying to goodenough for 2012/2013 as well. Got two doubts about it.

How many kitchens are available to residents? Are they in good condition?

I am also quite lost about the Guarantor's Letter. What did you do about it?

Thanks!!

Hi,

That was what I was wondering before I applied since I am way too fussy about my meals. However, I decided to apply in the end since the pros outweighted the cons and thankfully got accepted. The information I got from the admissions in the offer e-mail is; "A full catering service is provided at subsidised prices (average price of meals - cooked breakfast GBP 2.75, lunch GBP 3.50, dinner GBP 4.50). Self-catering facilities are limited and there is one buttery (fully equipped kitchen) in each building for all members and therefore it is only suitable for occasional use."

For the guarantoor letter I just got my sister to write me a very short letter just saying that she guarantee to pay any shortfalls in my payments.

Hope this helps!

[borntodream]

(Original post by Bowtruckle)
Does anyone have any idea about the scholarship selection at the college? Do they only consider applicants for May 31 deadline or will they still have some money left for those who apply by the deadline for the second round of scholarships?

I don't think so because, again quoting from my offer letter, "If you have also applied for a College Scholarship you will receive a decision after 31 May 2012 when the Scholarship Committee meets." So I guess this means they only meet once and decide there and then. Good luck with your application.

[peliqueiro]

Thanks a lot "borntodream" !!

Food prices seem very reasonable, specially for the very heart of London .

Hope to meet u there in September!!

[Bowtruckle]

(Original post by borntodream)
I don't think so because, again quoting from my offer letter, "If you have also applied for a College Scholarship you will receive a decision after 31 May 2012 when the Scholarship Committee meets." So I guess this means they only meet once and decide there and then. Good luck with your application.

Thank you for clarifying that! And congratulations on your place.